TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Bend! The weather is looking amazing, and the Cascade Lakes Highway gate opens bright and early tomorrow for some quality, early-season lake time.

In today’s Bend Buzz:

Let’s get to it.

— Derek Carlson

Is your Central Oregon rental actually performing?

Hi, I’m Samantha.

If you own a second home or ADU in Central Oregon, there’s real opportunity in both short-term rentals and mid-term rental stays (30+ days).

I help homeowners take underperforming STRs and turn them into top-producing assets, or position properties for consistent, low-turnover MTR income when that’s the better fit.

For the past 10 years, I’ve overseen 8,000+ guest reservations and operated a boutique, family-run portfolio across Central Oregon, the coast, and Denver.

Reach out for a consultation, and we can talk through your property and goals!

Call or text 971-420-7100
morganelite.com

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The downtown Bend farmers market is back for another season! Head to Brooks Alley to stock up on locally grown and made goods. Rumor on the street is that the strawberry season is already off to a killer start. Wednesdays at 11 AM - 3 PM Brooks Alley

The Downtown Bend Business Association is putting together a draft plan for what parking could look like in the future in downtown Bend, and they need your feedback. This is sure to stir up some emotions, as part of the proposal would be to change street parking from free to paid. Want to learn more and provide your feedback? You can do so here.

Its Mother’s Day this weekend, which means it’s time to treat yo’self (or yo momma). There are 1,000 (ok, maybe not quite 1,000…but it feels like it) different things happening, so we’ve whittled it down to a slightly more manageable list.

🍺 The Draft Wagon brings brews in the back of a van: Want to add some beverage options to your wedding, party, or event, but need something classier than a keg in a garbage can? There’s a very Bend solution to that as The Draft Wagon has launched in Central Oregon. Built into a 2001 4WD Honda Acty (I had to look this up, but this is one of those sweet Japanese vans you’ll see cruising around town sometimes), the van features three taps so you can keep the beverages flowing all party long. DM them on IG to inquire about your events.

🌮 Hablo Tacos opens an outpost at The Grove: Hablo Tacos has headed west (although their east side spot is still open, as well) as they have opened their new outpost at The Grove. They’ll be open daily from 9 AM - 8 PM.

📸 @seedtotableoregon | 📍Seed to Table Farm
Tag @thebendbuzz to get your photos featured!

Bend’s beloved gift shop, Pomegranate Home and Garden, is once again teaming up with Central Oregon Flower Collective for a flower-filled summer. This time, they’re inviting vendors to join in on the fun with their Serendipity Saturday Markets. These weekly mini markets will feature locally grown flowers alongside a select group of unique vendors.

Do you have handmade wares, a collection of vintage treasures, or tasty treats you’d like to sell? You’re invited to apply for your booth space here, or contact Marti at [email protected]. With easy parking, affordable booths, and a supportive community, this is bound to be a blast. 

🎬 Sprout Film Fest: This unique event, which focuses exclusively on films that celebrate the diverse lives and creativity of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), strives to challenge assumptions and break down stereotypes. 10 AM Tower Theatre

🟡 The Golden Era: Join Dr. Michelle Mattingly for a monthly discussion about perimenopause and menopause for women who want to understand exactly what is happening in their bodies and respond with intelligence, not guesswork. 8:30 AM Fox & Fern

🤠 Line Dance Lessons: Bring a partner, or just yourself, to The Coyote for their free weekly line dance lessons. 7:30 PM The Coyote

🔢 All About Patterns: It's May, and that means a new month of early out Wednesday art classes at Freak’N Art. This month’s theme is all about patterns. 1:30 PM Freak’N Art

🧠 Trivia Night: Put on those pondering caps and put your trivia skills to the test. 6:30 PM Deschutes Brewery

🐝 ReWilding!: Learn from Jen “bugs” Sawyer (what a sweet nickname) on how to turn your backyard into a beautiful pollinator habitat. 5:30 PM Whistlestop Farm

📖 A Novel Idea Book Discussion: Come chat this year’s A Novel Idea book, Supersonic, with other literary lovers. 6 PM Roundabout Books

🍄 Wild Food & Self-Sufficiency: Now this is my kind of class! This educational seminar focuses on wild foods and self-sufficiency, with a focus on local plants, seasonal awareness, and practical skills. 6 PM Hanai

✏ Urban Sketchers Meetup: Sketch the world around you with Urban Sketchers as they take their show on the road and into Shevlin Park. 9 AM Shevlin Park

🎵 Homegrown Music Festival Kick-Off Party: It’s go time for Bend’s local music fest as the Homegrown Music Fest hosts a kickoff party. We’ll have plenty more about their weekend lineup in Friday’s newsletter. 6:30 PM Commonwealth Pub

🎻 Central Oregon Youth Orchestra Spring Concert: Head to the Tower Theatre as Central Oregon’s aspiring celloists, flautists, violinists, and more take the stage for the spring concert. 7 PM Tower Theatre

🌼 Frame Pressed Flower Workshop: Make it look like spring in your home all season long by learning how to frame press flowers at this fun, hands-on workshop. 5:30 PM Freak’N Art

🌷 Spring Kick Off: Join the crew from Pollinator Pathways at their spring kickoff event, where they’ll be chatting all things pollinators. 4:30 PM Wintercreek Nursery

🪶 Indigenous Speaker Series: Hear from Artist Frank Buffalo Hyde (Onondaga/Niimíipuu), where he will explore the origins of democracy and how sovereignty is defined and implemented in the digital world of today. 6 PM High Desert Museum

🏃 Bend Trail Series: We missed the kick-off event of the Bend Trail Series (shame on me), but we aren’t making the same mistake twice. If you’re looking for a fun, low-key way to spend your Thursday evening, come join these monthly 4-7 mile races on some of Bend’s best trails. 5:30 PM Wanoga Sno-Park

🤣 Roundabouts Improv Show: What’s a Thursday in Bend without a few laughs? The Roundabouts improv shows are always a hit, and this time they’re bringing their act to UPP Liquids. 7:30 PM UPP Liquids

🎭 Newsies!: Come support the theatre crew at Caldera High as they kick off their two-week run of Newsies! 7 PM Caldera High

🙂 The Science of Happy Cities: Join Mitch Reardon at OSU-Cascades as he discusses what makes for a “happy city” and how those ideas can be applied to Bend. 6 PM OSU-Cascades

🐯 Jungle Run: The Jungle Run is back at COCC. This 2-mile loop (you can run it once or twice) will take you through mud bogs, over log bridges, and up some steep ascents. You might want to leave the supershoes at home for this one. 5:30 PM COCC Track

🌆 Bend 101: New to Bend? Join the Chamber for Bend 101, where you’ll learn about your new-ish hometown and all that it has to offer. Engage in powerful discussions surrounding Bend’s history, its values, and the many ways to get connected within the community. 5 PM Unitarian Universalist

Tyler Langham | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets
Silent Theory | The Domino Room | 8 PM | Tickets
Sarah Parsons | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets
Jackpine Jukebox | Commonwealth Pub | 7:30 PM

Charlee Prayers | Silver Moon | 7 PM | Tickets
Sidney Joseph | Bevel Brewing | 6 PM
Jeshua Marshall | Commonwealth Pub | 6:30 PM
Fluffalove | River’s Place | 6 PM
Sydney & Logan | The Lot | 6 PM
Lilli Worona & Mike Biggers | Mountain Burger | 6 PM

Looking for your next job? Here are some local listings that have popped up over the last week.

Searching for a new job? Browse the full job board

Looking for local candidates for your open position? Post your job

Stay warm, and thank you again for reading!

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